MANCHESTER'S David Barnes made the second successful defence of his British welterweight title at the MEN Arena on Saturday night, but he was pushed all the way by Irish battler Glenn McClarnon.

In an entertaining fight Barnes started slowly and boxed for a long time off the back foot.

But in the end his class told as he out-pointed his opponent 118-111 to retain his crown.

McClarnon started purposefully, attempting to force the champion onto the back foot but it was Barnes who shaded the early exchanges, connecting with a couple of big right hands before McClarnon countered with one of his own.

Underdog

Despite his underdog status, the Irishman was clearly not overawed and caught Barnes off-guard in the second with a punishing left hook.

Then into the third he forced his opponent back before Barnes exploded of the ropes with a lightning-quick combination.

Sensing the need to assert his authority, the champion visibly stepped up the pace.

A solid cross halted McClarnon's charge in the fifth but Barnes was still boxing largely on the back foot and a couple of thumping body shots in the seventh let him know that this was by no-means a one-way fight.

Barnes must have felt that this was close and the eighth saw him come forward with real intent for the first time.

And as the challenger tired he began to take control, dominating the ninth and working effectively behind the jab before an uppercut in the 10th rocked McClarnon back.

Barnes grew in confidence and began to taunt the challenger in the 11th.

But to his credit the Irishman would not go down and Barnes had to settle for the decision.